• The recommendation to expedite the enactment of an integrated legislation for reform, rehabilitation, and custody centers in accordance with the international standards on the treatment of prisoners and detainees. Law No. (18) of 2014 on Correctional and Rehabilitation Institutions was issued on July 3, 2014. In addition, Law No. (39) of 2014 amending provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure promulgated by Legislative Decree No. (46) of 2002 on custody was also issued. In addition, the Minister of Interior issued Decree No. (131) of 2015 on the Regulations for Correctional and Rehabilitation Institutions Law promulgated pursuant to Law No. (18) of 2014 on August 16, 20152. • The recommendation stating that the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) at the Public Prosecution, being the body entrusted with investigation into allegations of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, shall enjoy full independence according to the Istanbul Protocol. The SIU indicated that it is an independent entity at the Public Prosecution and carries out its legal functions under the full authority of its Head. The Public Prosecutor administratively supervises the Unit’s activities, as stipulated in Article (1) of Decree No. (8) on the establishment of the Special Unit and Article (1) of Resolution No. (26) of 2013 on the issue of Directives to the SIU. The unit enjoys full independence in undertaking its work without supervision or guidance, which is shown by the fact that the members of the Unit who were selected from the public prosecution have severed all ties with their former work and are fully dedicated to their work at the Special Unit. This is in line with the principles of the Istanbul Protocol on Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and other Cruel Inhuman treatment, which stipulates that it shall not permitted for the body that took over prosecution to investigate a complaint of torture and illtreatment. This is emphasized in Articles (2) and (25) of the Directives on the Special Investigation Unit. ‫اﻟﺘﻘﺮﻳﺮ اﻟﺴﻨﻮي اﻟﺜﺎﻟﺚ‬ ‫ﻟﻠﻤﺆﺳﺴﺔ اﻟﻮﻃﻨﻴﺔ ﻟﺤﻘﻮق اﻧﺴﻨﺎم‬ ‫ ـ ﻣﻤﻠﻜﺔ اﻟﺒﺤﺮﻳﻦ‬2015 ‫ﻟﻌﺎم‬ The Judicial Police Section was established to promote the independence of the Unit in investigation and information gathering under the supervision of head of the Unit. The Section is composed of two officers and five members of the police who are engaged in gathering information and conducting investigations on the cases submitted to the unit in full independence. A male, and a female, forensic medicine specialists and a psychiatrist have been assigned to the SIU performing their activities in accordance with the guidelines and directives of the Istanbul Protocol on Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and other Cruel Inhuman treatment. Regarding the SIU cases referred to criminal courts, a member of the Special Investigation Unit represents the prosecution. The Unit also prepares pleadings, respond to defense pleading, and appeal rulings, as the case may be. • The recommendation urging the SIU, in accordance with the provisions of the Istanbul Protocol, to be committed to issuing public reports. These reports shall include, as a minimum the procedures and methods adopted in assessing evidence, the specific events that took place, the findings drawn by the Unit based on the applicable law, and the recommendations made based on the findings. The SIU explained that, since its establishment on February 27, 2012, it has been committed to issuing periodic public reports that are published monthly by various media. These reports include detailed statements of complaints received by the SIU related to allegations of torture and ill-treatment, and the related investigation procedures taken thereto. In addition, the SIU issues statements on important matters. 2 Effective on 21 August 2015, and published in the Official Gazette No. 3223 n 20 August 2015. 10